New running read: Big Fit Girl highlights body positive message for all athletes

Louise Green has a mission. She wants runners and athletes of all sizes to be able to work out without feeling bad about their body size. 

We’ve heard it all before: to be a runner or to be physically fit, you don’t have to look a certain way. While that may be said, many runners (particularly women) may feel that underlying messages still suggest the opposite. Whether it’s because of that voice inside your own head or an outside comment related to weight or size, many feel that thin = fast or that slim frames suggest higher fitness levels. 

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That’s simply not the case. Green is out to prove it.

And that’s why the plus-sized athlete wrote a book titled Big Fit Girl to explain how she got fit and got keen on upping her fitness level to improve her overall health. Green details how she got motivated to commit to the workout instead of succumbing to temptations to just flop on out couch (we’ve all been there!).

Furthermore, in keeping a healthy relationship with her body, she said no to dieting. “Embrace the Body You Have,” is printed on the cover because, well, that’s exactly what Green hopes we will all do throughout the duration of our workouts. And, what’s more is that she feels that plus-sized women have been left out of fitness industry conversations. To bridge that gap, she has written Big Fit Girl to inspire plus-sized women to get active, give them tips on getting started, choosing activities, setting goals and getting the right gear. In proving that she’s not the only success story, she has included the stories of other women who have done the same. 

This new fitness book aims to be an empowering read. It emphasizes body positive messages that it’s not just about size and that fuller figures are also powerful when it comes to crushing that workout. Those who pick up this book are likely to reconsider stereotypes and see health and fitness through a new lens. 

Why runners will love it

Oh, and runners in particular (especially those new to the lifestyle) will love the section on 5K running– for every body type. Green begins the section explaining that learning to run 5K is where she started with running and that it changed her life. From there, she walks newbie runners through basic but essential concepts and terminology before presenting them with a well-rounded training guide. She even includes motivational tips and positive mantras for the (inevitable) moments of discouragement.

“Once I completed my first 5K, I built on that experience and went on to do more. I started to increase my distances over time, making sure that I used trusted training programs,” she writes. Finally, she gives words of encouragement– to keep showing up and breaking down limits. “By doing so, you are sending the world a clear message that everyone can be an athlete.”